The Poor Little Rich Girl

el, in her own room; for another, the bursting of a hot-water pipe on the same floor as the nursery required the prompt attention of a man in a greasy cap and Johnnie Blake over

enly aroused interest in plumbing made the canceling of that day's riding-lesson seem advisable. It was

n pleasure, her own disappointment, too,-these were entirely put aside in a concern touching weightier matters. Slippers upheld by a hassock, and

in glaring chalk, the irritating reminder: Use Your Dictionary! There was diversion in turning the leaves at random (blissf

a small one. "B-double-e," she spelled; "

h that other word, "Society", which she had so fortunately overheard. But what of the remainder of that visitor

ng in around the edge of the hall door on soft foot-with a covert peek nursery-ward that was designed to lend signif

lance divined that something-probably in the nature of an edible-might be

d, tiptoeing genia

returned no

out a small Manila bag. The bag was partly open at the top.

he began, "you like o

he attitude of Miss Royle, Thomas and Jane; where, previous to the birthday, it had seemed the main purpose of the trio (if not the duty) to circumvent her at every turn-to which end, each had a method that was unique: the first co

not too g

more than half guessing that t

tself into a friendly offering.

yle never permitted her to eat peanuts, which lent to them all the ch

o see me go away, would

ammed, she shook h

easily get at its store. Then, leaning down confidentially, and pointing

suddenly clouded-remembering what, for a moment, her joy in the pe

oin'?-still as mice

r once more. "I was waving at the nur

h opened. His ears grew red. "The nurse

hair," went on Gwendol

the school-room. Through it could be seen the c

o," said Gwendolyn. S

my. "There's a fine Pomeranian a

er," said Gwendolyn, with the nurse st

lot prettier close to," he declared, "than

ne entered, fai

harply to Gwendolyn.

nkness being the rule when c

git 'em?" she demanded, promptl

oma

red glance. "Oh, you must've did T

m-just tellin' Miss Gwendolyn"-he winked sign

on. "Let me close up your dictionary for you, pettie. Jane never likes to see

yed the Manila bag covetously. "I didn't ea

eling to present the bag. Then drawing the pink-frocked figure

ecisive, "I to

I talked about how she loves us. And a-cour

r. "I told him," she continued, husking peanuts

sat

fting about uneasily mid-way between table and

iastic. "Oh, she has such sweet hair!

e of the kneeling Jane. "And she's t

crunching happily the while. "And, oh, Jane,

ay you

eseeing a possible loss of the peanuts, commenced to eat more r

sly. "And don't you go botherin' your poor father

irl. I know-'cause there are bars on t

urging Jane hallward with

ne to her feet. She fixed Thomas with blazi

His ears were

use," went on Gwendolyn, "and the pre

our Poms at the same time

he's lots pret

as sprang away. With a gu

ll accusing, "It was you put it into her head!-to come-and take my place from under me-and the food out of my very mouth-and br

remaining bits from the crevices of the bag, she shook her y

e. That single plate, as well as the empty arm-chair so popular with Jane, emphasized the infestivity. As for the heavy curtains at

le but daring-one that would bring quick enlightenment concerning the things that worried. Miss Royle was still indisposed. Jane was locked in her own room, from which issued an occasional low bellow. When Thomas, too, was out

ehension. The meal concluded, even to the use of the finger-bowl, and all dishes disposed upon the tray, he hung about, puttering with the table, picking up crumbs

lass, at which, between the shining rows of her teeth, she thrust out a tip of scarlet. Sh

wed the greater part of her ow

cted the Gallic teacher-undesired at any hour. Thomas puttered and frowned until a

at and a long feather boa. She led Gwendolyn to the school-room. There she settled down in a lo

he festooned, now over one shoulder, now over the other. "Madem

lle, irritably (she spoke with much precisi

Why not make certain in

it. "And which little bird is it that tells things to-to people?" Then, more to herself than to Mademoiselle, who

a and drew Gwendolyn to her knee. "You make ze head buzz. Come

untwining, "if I do my French fast will you tel

ademoiselle, "is not on z

s of the other; so that a loud crescendo from the nursery, announcing

was doubly so. She had learned nothing from Mademoiselle. But Mi

iano, her face raised (as if she were seeking out some spot on the ceiling), and her solid frame swaying from s

lifted face, the rocking, the ardent touch-all these inspired hope. The gra

ded with a bang. Miss Brown straig

e alone. She stood on tiptoe. "Miss Brown," she began, "d

ndolyn," she interrupted severely, "are you go

uestion day before yesterday," she plead. "I just wanted to

Brown curtly, "and don't waste my time." S

ignity, her breast heaving with a rancor she dared not

-with risin

e's it sounded nice

metronome to tick-tocking.

one hand to her

ut your finger

cheek

position

ruck a spiri

art and a shaggy-footed horse was picking up leaves. He used a shovel. And each time he raised it to shoulder-height and emptied it into his cart, a few of the leaves went whirling away out of reach-like frightened butterf

discouraged. She

hat evening of her seventh anniversary! Ignoring Miss Royle's oft-repeated lesson that "Nice little girls do not ask questions," or "worry father and mo

still be asked. She was

ographs in silver frames stood upon it, flanking the rose-embossed calendar at

endolyn was born. The oval face was delicately lovely and gi

-this was her father, when he first came to the city. His lips were set together firml

and Thomas's warnings, [and putting aside, too, any thought of what punishment might follow her da

she lifted each to kiss it. She kissed the smilin